Waiters and waiteresses are pretty vital to your dining out experience… and you’re pretty vital to their income. Here are some typically misunderstood things that your servers wish you knew:
1. We make less than $3.
We literally depend on your tips. With the exception of a few places that pay their servers minimum wage, most of us make $3 or less as a base pay. As a standard, if the service was good, tip 18-20%. If the service wasn’t stellar, 15% might be okay.  When you choose not to leave a tip, you are considered the worst kind of person in the restaurant world.
2. We don’t get to keep all of the tips we earn.
Most places require servers to tip out other staff members that help them throughout a shift, such as bartenders, bussers, hostesses, and food runners. So again, when you neglect to leave a tip, we might end up having to pay out of pocket just to cover what we owe to other people.
3. We take your order, not make it.
I understand your food might be taking a little longer than you would like, and really, I wish I could get it out faster for you, but I don’t cook your food. Food coming out not as quickly as you would like should not be a reflection of the server, nor should it reflect in your tip to the server, because really, it isn’t our fault.
4. You are not our only table.
If you see us running around like a crazy person going from table to table, it’s safe to assume you are not our sole priority. We are doing our absolute best to get to you and provide you with the best service possible. Sometimes, when 3 tables sit in our section at once, or all of our tables are asking for things at once, it’s a little difficult to manage. So if I forget to bring you a bottle of ketchup, or forget to refill your water, I am so sorry. Instead of being rude, just kindly remind me. One of the hardest parts of serving is learning how to manage all those things at once, and knowing how to prioritize what needs done at each table, so please try and be understanding, because we are sincerely trying for you.
5. We sat you at the table we did for a reason.
We seat you where we do for a reason. Servers have sections, and to make it fair, often times the host will seat you in a certain area in order to keep the table rotation fair for servers. Let me repeat- you are placed at the table you were for a reason. Asking to change or move your seating is just an inconvenience. If you have a specific table request, please ask us before you are seated.
6. Don’t say you’re ready to order if you aren’t.
Let’s go back to number 4… You are more than likely not our only table. If you say you’re ready to order, and just sit there and stare at the menu for another 2 minutes going “uuuuhhhhhm….,” you are taking away from the time that should be spent servicing other tables. It is inconvenient, annoying, and a little rude. Please tell us you are ready to order only when you truly are.
7. We do not make the prices.
We do not create the menu or the prices for food. So please don’t be mad at us if you’re charged for extra sides of salsa, or for a special substitution. It’s more than likely listed on the menu, and we’re simply just following the restaurant’s policy.
8. Â If you have children at your table, please keep them under control.
We are servers, not babysitters. If you have children at your table and allow them to run around like little animals, it creates a hazard for us, and for them. Please keep your children under control…you are in public.
9. If you are in a rush, please tell us when we seat you.
If you’re coming into a restaurant on your lunch break, or have some other time constraint, please let us know when you sit down so we know to help you as quickly as possible.
10.  If you need us, please don’t snap your fingers.
Find a more polite way to get our attention. We are servers, not dogs. Snapping your fingers is belittling, and only makes you seem like an a**.
11. The longer you hang around after your meal, the less money we make.
If you finish your meal and insist on sitting around for hours, without ordering any food or drinks, tip your server more. Time is money, and the longer you sit at a table, the less money your server is making. So please be considerate, and if you want to sit at a table for hours and not order anything… don’t.
12. Please don’t show up 5 minutes before closing.
When you show up right before a restaurant closes, the kitchen has to start unpacking everything they just packed up, and we are forced to stay after hours just to service you. It’d be like your boss giving you an hour and a half long project five minutes before you were supposed to leave, and not paying you extra for it.
13. We are servers, not servants.
Having a customer that understands we’re trying our best, and knows how hard it is, is the best kind of customer a server can have. A good customer can make or break our day. The more polite and understanding you are, the happier we are, and the better service you’ll receive. Treat us like servants, and we won’t be so inclined to help you. We are providing you a service, you are not owed anything.
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So next time you dine out, please remember these little tidbits and you AND your server will surely have a great experience. But if you don’t…